New Soil Vinyl & CDs

Review: Mande jazz ensemble Balimaya Project return with much anticipated second album When The Dust Settles on New Soil in partnership with Jazz re:freshed. The group has a magical big band sound that is expanded on here with plenty of personal expression running the emotional gamut from rage to love, grief to joy. Once again they combine the African rhythms of their roots with contemporary London jazz energy as they celebrate Black power and community togetherness. Composer, arranger and Djembe player Yahael Camara Onono leads the group with Afronaut Zu, Obongjayar and Fassara Sacko adding vocals over the advantageous folkloric rhythms.

Review: Precipice marks a return to Ill Considered's improvisational origins, with Idris Rahman, Emre Ramazanoglu, and Liran Donin synergising to showcase their exceptional talents and solidify their position as frontrunners in the UK's jazz landscape. Following the acclaimed 'Liminal Space in 2021, this album embodies a raw, minimalist essence reminiscent of 70s jazz classics. Collaborating once again with visual artist Vincent De Boer for the album's artwork, Ill Considered's evolution since their 2017 inception has been remarkable. Their pioneering DIY ethos, resulting in nine albums recorded in studios and live sessions, has garnered them a devoted following and garnered respect from jazz luminaries. Now, with their catalogue available on streaming platforms, Ill Considered's distinctive sonic universe is accessible to a wider audience who are ready to delight in both discovery and appreciation.

Review: Building on the success of his previous two full-lengths, Oscar Jerome's third solo album suggests he has not yet stopped growing as a songwriter, guitarist and producer. Following his time with Kokoroko and his acclaimed 2022 album The Spoon, this latest work delves into personal, reflective themes and was produced entirely by the man himself. It takes in folk influences from John Martyn and Joni Mitchell with the funk of Prince and early Carlos Santana as well as contemporary broken beat and jazz flair. The Fork explores self-reckoning through intimate narratives with each track offering emotionally rich storytelling and nuanced guitar work all making this his most personal and ambitious album yet.

Review: Jake Long's debut under his own name, City Swamp, is a long-awaited arrival, especially for those familiar with his work leading Maisha. As the drummer and composer for Maisha, Long was instrumental in creating some of the finest UK jazz releases, including There is a Place, which featured luminaries like Nubya Garcia and Amane Suganami. City Swamp not only showcases Long's talent but also serves as a continuation and expansion of the ideas explored in There is a Place. While Maisha's sound was celebratory, City Swamp delves into more dissonant themes with a psychedelic twist, particularly evident in the epic track 'Ideological Rubble.' Despite being a solo project, City Swamp still features many Maisha members, highlighting the collaborative spirit that defines Long's work. With this album, Long firmly establishes himself as a phenomenally talented artist with a unique musical vision, making City Swamp an exceptional debut.